Armory Revival Company Principals
BJ Dupre
Robert E. Dupré, Jr. has had over 35 years of experience in all phases of new construction, restoration and rehabilitation, specializing in 19th century historic homes. Mr. Dupré brings to each of the company’s projects a strong sense of design and craftsmanship developed from the rich architectural tradition of New England and enhanced by extensive travel abroad. His restoration of numerous buildings otherwise destined for the wrecking ball have been recognized in “Newsweek”, “The New York Times”, the cover of “Historic Preservation Magazine”, as well as books on Victorian architecture, including Victorious Victorians and Daughters of Painted Ladies.
At The Armory Revival Company, BJ is responsible for new project identification and acquisition, for design direction, quality control and special events. He directs Rejuvenation LLC, the company’s historic home revitalization program and oversees the brokerage, Armory Properties LLC.
BJ has taken a leadership role in his own community. He has been a Trustee of Keep Providence Beautiful (President 1994-1996) and a founding member and past President of West Broadway Neighborhood Association. Mr. Dupré graduated with Honors from LaSalle Academy and spent four years traveling and working around the world. He is fluent in French, is an avid gardener and has extensive experience in skippering ocean-going yachts. He has two children and currently resides in Providence.
LeBaron "Barry" Preston
Mr. Preston began his career with the Rouse Company where he served on teams developing new retail and apartment properties and the new community of Columbia, Maryland. As Vice President of Gilbane Properties, Inc. (Providence, R.I.) he directed development of condominium communities in Narragansett Pier, R.I. and Watertown, MA as well as the highly acclaimed restoration of the Arcade (1976), a festival marketplace in downtown Providence.
Mr. Preston has taken a leadership role in his community, where he was a member of the Providence Preservation Society (President 1994-1996), founded its Revolving Fund (President 1985-88), and is a member of the Board of the Institute for the Study and Practice of Non-Violence. He is a graduate of Yale University and of the University of Chicago Law School. Mr. Preston served as a Captain in the United States Marine Corps (1966-69). He has been married to Rebecca for 41 years, lives in Providence, and has three children.
Mark Van Noppen
Mark Van Noppen began a career in real estate development in 1982, renovating significant Victorian homes in Providence, Rhode Island. He co-founded The Armory Revival Company in 1986. In his role as Vice President and Managing Director, Mr. Van Noppen is responsible for strategic planning, project conception and management, property management, community relations, and business and investor development. Mr. Van Noppen has had leadership roles on the boards of numerous civic and charitable organizations, including West Broadway Neighborhood Association, Housing Works RI, the Rhode Island Builder’s Association and the Providence Preservation Society, where he served as President from 2006-2008. He has served on a number of commissions and committees, including the Governor’s Joint Committee on the Rehabilitation Building Code, the Governor’s Housing Resource Commission, Mayor David M. Cicilline’s Advisory Committee and Brown University’s Civic Leadership Council.
A native of North Carolina, Mr. Van Noppen graduated from Brown University in 1981 with a degree in Anthropology. He studied photography at Rhode Island School of Design. He resides in the Armory District with his wife Julie and their three children.
